If you have a compromised immune system, chances are you’re susceptible to viruses and burnout
By Nicole Ganglani | Photos from Unsplash and Pixabay | Art by Tricia Guevara
Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that may cause respiratory diseases in humans. The most recent coronavirus discovered is the COVID-19 which can affect humans in different ways. It causes illnesses as mild as colds to more severe ones like pneumonia. It spreads through close contact between people from three to six feet. But the most common way the virus spreads is when a sick person coughs or sneezes on someone.
As the world grapples with containing the pandemic, COVID-19 also continues to be a serious concern in the Philippines. As of writing, the Department of Health has reported 1546 confirmed cases with 78 deaths. The COVID-19 threat is considered to be like any other flu with common symptoms like fever, dry cough and fatigue. Moreover, just like a regular flu, COVID-19 can be caught by people with compromised immune systems.
As such, keeping our immune system strong is one of the best ways to protect ourselves. According to the World Health Organization, some measures we can take is to watch what we eat (avoid undercooked animal products) and practice good respiratory hygiene like washing our hands frequently and maintaining social distance. When we keep our immune system healthy, we avoid not just the chances of contracting illnesses and infections but also other medical conditions like pneumonia, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and most commonly these days, burnout.
How does a weak immune system lead to burnout?
If you have a weak immune system, chances are you’re easily going to get sick. And because your body demands higher energy levels when you’re unwell or chronically stressed, you’ll end up burned out.
Burnout is no longer a temporary affliction that’s usually stacked next to work stress; it’s an alarming condition that’s becoming increasingly rampant. Reports indicate that 23 percent of employees always feel burned out while 44 percent feel it sometimes. High levels of burnout result in headaches, muscle pain, low energy, an inability to focus and lack of motivation.
With a strong immune system, you’re less likely to be burned out. If your body can respond effectively to the daily strains of your job (and the stress that may come with the coronavirus outbreak), then you’re mostly safe from fatigue, which, in turn, can protect you from catching diseases like COVID-19, flu and burnout.
The good news, however, is that we can actually prevent burnout and other illnesses by taking concrete steps to keep our immune system intact.
Boosting your immune system is the key
In a Harvard Health and Publishing article, a healthy immune system requires balance and harmony, which means you need to consider a variety of factors including diet, exercise and environment. Generally, it helps to follow healthy lifestyle strategies such as eating well-balanced meals high in fruits and vegetables, getting enough physical activity and avoiding habits like smoking and excessive alcohol use.
It’s also worth mentioning that one convenient way to help boost our immune system is to take the right vitamins regularly. Vitamins help keep the bodily functions in a healthy state as well as increase physical and mental performance.
Look for vitamins that contain natural substances such as Multivitamins + Minerals + Ginseng + Royal Jelly (Enervon Activ) as well as essential nutrients (vitamins A, C, E, and zinc). These type of vitamins may help bolster stamina, enhance psychomotor performance and boost immunity to possibly curb the chances of burnout and replenish essential vitamins and minerals.
Aside from royal jelly and ginseng, the presence of B-complex vitamins and iron may also provide an energy boost as they aid in breaking down food to energy—an advantage for anyone who’s always on the go. Moreover, vitamins may also help promote immune functions and protect cells from harmful chemicals we absorb from the food we eat especially amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Taking care of our immune system, proper hand washing and distancing ourselves from crowds are some of the most practical ways we can do to curb the spread of coronavirus and contracting COVID-19. If we want to avoid illnesses, exhaustion and the feeling of being overwhelmed at work, we must prioritize our health. Whether that’s squeezing in 30 minutes of exercise into our daily schedule or taking the right vitamins like Multivitamins + Minerals + Ginseng + Royal Jelly (Enervon Activ), these simple self-care habits can go a long way in improving our immune system and overall health.
If symptoms persist, consult your doctor.
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